Making every dollar count goes further than the items you place in your shopping cart

You've heard me talk a lot about taking your time whenever you spend your money. I mean, no matter how small the amount is, think it through before you shell out the dough! You may think that running through the drive thru for an impromptu half-priced slushy, is no big deal (I mean it's only a couple bucks). But in reality, those few dollars ARE a big deal. Why?

When you make purchases that are purely based on satisfying your current desire, without any forethought, you are telling your brain that you spend frivolously. Think of this in terms of the food you eat. If you eat a cookie every day, your brain begins to change how it sees that cookie. It is no longer an occasional junk food, it is now a necessity. You taste buds change, and when you're hungry, you start thinking - what's one more cookie? Day by day your brain becomes more accustomed to junk food and then unhealthy eating is your norm. Well the same is true for spending. When you spend without thinking regularly, your brain begins to accept that as your normal habit. Do you find that you've fallen into this trap?

So what do you do to stop unintentional spending?

Start thinking through every-single-purchase! Even if it's only fifty cents! Seriously! Consider these things:

• Do you want or need this item?
• What will this item satisfy for you?
• Will this purchase bring you closer to any of your financial goals?
• If not, does this purchase fulfill a desire or need that is more important than your financial goal?
• Is there any comparable item available that is less expensive?
• Is there any retailer selling this item at a lower cost?
• Is there a coupon available to lower the price?
• Should you wait until you've saved up the money for this item? ]
• How are the customer reviews of this item? (aka is it a good quality item?)

These are just a few examples of how you can analyze your purchase to make sure you are making a well-thought decision to buy and that you're getting your money's worth out of it.

Get Free 1-on-1 Coaching for Achieving Your Financial Goals

While we're on the subject of making every penny count, I just want to give a quick shout out to my dear friend Hannah Keeley who has a goal to bring 500 women into financial freedom in 2018! If you want to be one of these lucky women, get signed up for Mom Mastery University (www.mommastery.com). If you enter me as your mentor, I will also give you free personal 1-on-1 coaching on conquering your budget and achieving your financial goals! Watch the video below for the details of what we'll cover in this personal coaching offer.

If you have any questions, please let me know! In the meantime, have a blessed week and we'll talk again soon!

Jill